Duplicate canonical tags can be problematic for SEO, causing confusion for search engines about which page to index and rank. For online store owners using Shopify, it’s essential to address and resolve any issues related to duplicate canonical tags to ensure optimal search engine visibility. This guide will walk you through the steps to identify and remove duplicate canonical tags from your Shopify store.

1. Identify the Issue

First and foremost, you need to confirm that there’s a duplicate canonical tag issue.

• Using an SEO Audit Tool: Tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Screaming Frog can help you identify pages with duplicate canonical tags.
• Manual Inspection: Right-click on your web page, select “View Page Source,” and then use the browser’s “Find” feature (Ctrl + F or Command + F) to search for “canonical.” Ensure there’s only one canonical tag present.

2. Check Your Theme Files

If you’ve identified that there’s a duplicate canonical tag issue, it’s time to dive into your theme files.

Steps:

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes.
2. Find the theme you want to edit, click Actions, and then click Edit code.
3. In the Layout section, open your theme.liquid file.
4. Look for any canonical tags in this file. If you find one, make a note of it.
5. Next, check the Templates and Snippets folders for any additional canonical tags.

3. Remove Duplicate Tags

Once you’ve located the tags, decide which one is unnecessary and remove it.

• Tip: Shopify automatically generates canonical tags for products and product variants. So, if you’ve added a custom canonical tag, it’s likely causing the duplication. In most cases, it’s safe to remove the custom canonical tag and rely on Shopify’s automatically generated one.

4. Use Apps Wisely

There are several SEO apps available in the Shopify App Store that might automatically add canonical tags to your pages. If you’re using an SEO app:

1. Check its settings to see if it’s adding canonical tags.
2. Disable this feature if Shopify is already generating canonical tags for you.

5. Test Your Solution

After removing the suspected duplicate canonical tag:

1. Clear any caches if you’re using a caching solution or app.
2. Visit your web page and inspect the page source again to confirm that only one canonical tag exists.
3. Use your chosen SEO audit tool to re-scan your website and ensure the duplicate canonical tag issue is resolved.

6. Monitor Regularly

Even after addressing the issue, it’s a good practice to monitor your website regularly for SEO issues, including duplicate canonical tags. Changes to your theme, installing new apps, or other modifications can reintroduce the problem.

Conclusion

Addressing duplicate canonical tags in Shopify is essential for maintaining strong SEO performance. By regularly monitoring your site and understanding how and where canonical tags are added, you can ensure that search engines accurately index your store’s content. Remember to always backup your theme before making any changes, and consider working with a Shopify expert or SEO specialist if you’re unsure about any steps in the process.